The mine was operated mostly by African American prisoners who, under Alabama's onvict lease system, had been "leased" to the mine owners. Regardless of how minor their crimes were, all of them rdied in the disaster.

XL backers' arguments that the project is a jobs provider are being disputed. Many, including some labor activists, feel that the pipeline issue does not need to be divisive, and that they share the same underlying interests.

The department released its environmental impact statement on the project, which would transport 830,000 barrels of oil daily from Alberta's tar sands to refineries of the U.S. Gulf Coast. There are 30 days for public comments.

The fire in Yarnell, Arizona, claimed the lives of 19 firefighters, burned 8,374 acres, and laid waste to hundreds of homes. And more firefighters are currently risking their lives to tame this blaze .